Fairfield council issues notice of pending ordinance to revise Air Park zone after heated public comment

The Fairfield Town Council on April 2 voted to issue a notice of pending ordinance to revise the town's Air Park zone and the Air Park overlay map, a step Council members said is needed to correct definitions, clarify easements and address water requirements tied to recent runway changes.

The council adopted Resolution R2025'04 after an extended public comment period in which West Desert Airpark owners and local residents disagreed sharply over whether recent actions by town staff and the council had improperly targeted the airport.

Lena Pringle, identified in public comment as an owner of the West Desert Airpark, urged the council to reject the resolution and to investigate what she called a pattern of obstruction against the airpark. "The allegations in this resolution are not only false," Pringle said, adding she had recused herself from planning commission votes where required. Co'owner Mark Pringle joined in asking for fair treatment and for the council to work collaboratively.

A second public commenter, Matthew Kong, described the airport as a local asset used for emergency medical access and business activity and said the resolution amounted to a campaign of misinformation. "This isn't just about aviation. It's about fairness, honesty, and the well'being of people who live here and the community on the airfield," Kong said.

Nut graf: Council members said the town needs clearer ordinance language and an updated overlay map to reflect a larger runway and to determine whether easements, setback or other mitigations are required for adjacent property owners. The draft resolution establishes a process for the planning commission to review proposed ordinance text and for the council to consider revisions.

Council members and staff described several technical issues that the pending ordinance will aim to fix: missing definitions in the airpark code, inconsistent conditional'use permit requirements, and unclear water transfer language connected to development approvals. The council also discussed how a larger runway can expand the overlay area and affect adjacent property owners, which in turn may require easements or other mitigation.

Town staff said an updated overlay map produced by GSBS exists and the council has authorized further review by Lochner to produce a version the town can act on. "We're going to let Lochner do it. We're going to review it, and then we will send it off to somebody for review," a council member said. The council requested that any engineer retained to review the overlay have aviation experience.

The resolution sets a timetable for review: when an ordinance text and overlay map are presented to the planning commission, that body will have up to 45 days to provide input and a recommendation; the overall process may extend up to 180 days under state code if necessary, the council noted. The council voted to adopt the notice of pending ordinance; recorded votes included RL, Tyler, Michael and Richard in favor.

Several council members said they were willing to amend the draft to remove specific factual allegations and to add timelines for the planning commission review. Public commenters and some council members urged negotiation with airport owners on easements and proposed road alignments so development proposals are not unduly blocked.

Ending: The notice of pending ordinance will bring revised code language and an overlay map to the planning commission for review within the timeframe set by the council; the council said it will consider consultant review reports, possible amendments and public input before adopting any zoning changes.